Varanasi: Two of the Varanasi's most iconic and beloved eateries, the century-old Chachi Ki Dukan and the decades-old Pahelwan Lassi shop, have been demolished as part of an encroachment removal drive in the city.
Both shops, situated near Lanka Chauraha on BHU Road, were cleared to make way for a four-lane expansion from Lahartara to Bhikharipur Tiraha and Bhelupur Vijaya Mall.
Have a look at some visuals from the site:
PWD Issued Prior Notices
The Public Works Department (PWD) confirmed it had issued multiple notices to shopkeepers over the past month. With no action taken to vacate the area, demolition work was carried out on more than 24 establishments near Lanka’s Ravidas Gate. “We had given several warnings, but the encroachments remained. The road widening work had to go ahead,” said a PWD official, as quoted by Zee News.
Sad News For Food Lovers
The demolition sparked emotional reactions from residents and food lovers across the country. Pahelwan Lassi, known for its creamy blend of curd, sugar, saffron, and rose water, had attracted fans from across the world, including film stars like Akshay Kumar, Rajesh Khanna, Sanjay Mishra, and Anurag Kashyap. Even politicians like Manoj Tiwari and Ravi Kishan were known to stop by.
Netizens equally mourned Chachi Ki Dukan, a local eatery established in 1915, which saw queues of people daily. Among its most notable admirers were Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi and SP MP Dimple Yadav. For many Banarasis, the shop wasn’t just a food joint, it was a part of Kashi’s cultural soul.
